citizen kane

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Movies.com

CITIZEN
KANE
/>
CONTENTS
Listening / Reading Script

2

Mark The Spaces

9

Poster / Trailer

3

Discussion

10

Synonym / Phrase Match

4

Survey

11

Listening Gap Fill

5

Writing

12

Correct The Spelling

6

Homework

13

Punctuate The Text

7

Answers

14

Insert The Vowels

8

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville


THE LISTENING / READING SCRIPT
From: />
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and
starring Orson Welles. It was released by RKO Pictures, and was
Welles’ first feature film. The film was nominated for Academy
Awards in nine categories; it won an Oscar for Best Writing
(Original Screenplay). Citizen Kane was voted the greatest film of
all time in five successive Sight & Sound's polls of critics, - a time
span of five decades. The movie is particularly praised for its
innovative cinematography, music, and narrative structure. Many
film critics consider Citizen Kane to be the best film ever made,
which has led legendary critic Roger Ebert to joke: "So it's
settled: Citizen Kane is the official greatest film of all time."
The story examines the life and legacy of Charles Foster Kane,
played by Welles, a character based in part upon the American

newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. It also follows
Chicago tycoons Samuel Insull and Harold McCormick, and
describes aspects of Welles' own life. Upon its release, Hearst
prohibited mention of the film in any of his newspapers. Kane's
career in the publishing world starts with an idea to provide a
social service, but gradually evolves into a ruthless pursuit of
power. The story is told mainly through flashbacks. A newsreel
reporter wants to solve the mystery of the newspaper magnate's
dying word: "Rosebud" and does so in showing old footage of
Kane.
Source: />
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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

2


TRAILER AND POSTER
From: />
POSTER
1. SIX WORDS: Look at the poster and write down six words (more if
you like) that you think of as you look at it. Share the words with your
partner(s). Why did you choose them?
You can find posters for this movie at www.wikipedia.com or www.imbd.com - just
type the name of the movie in the search field.

2. STORY: Talk about what you think the story of the movie is – the start,
beginning, end, etc. Change partners and share stories.

3. CREDITS: Look at the credits on the poster (the actors, director,

producer…) and talk about them with your partner(s).

4. MUST-SEE: Talk with your partner(s) about whether the poster and
movie title are good and make you want to see the movie.

5. STARRING YOU: Imagine you are one of the stars of the movie. Talk
about your role with your movie star partner(s).

TRAILER
1. RETELL: Watch the trailer and retell what you saw to your partner(s).
You can watch a trailer at

2. CHUNKS: Watch 10-to-15 second chunks of the trailer and retell what
you saw to your partner(s).

3. QUIZ: Watch the trailer and write down some quiz questions for your
partner(s). Watch a second time to find the answers to the questions.

4. VOCABULARY: Make a note of words in the trailer that you see or
hear. Talk about them with your partner(s).

5. GOOD / BAD: Watch the trailer and write down why you think the film
might be good or bad. Share your ideas with your partner(s).
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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

3


MATCHING

From: />
SYNONYM MATCH
1.

released

a.

looks at

2

nominated

b.

parts

3.

successive

c.

reference

4.

innovative

d.

consecutive

5.

settled

e.

brought out

6.

examines

f.

quest

7.

magnate

g.

decided

8.

aspects

h.

recommended

9.

mention

i.

tycoon

j.

pioneering

10. pursuit

PHRASE MATCH
1.

feature

a.

polls of critics

2

five successive Sight & Sound's

b.

mystery

3.

praised for its innovative

c.

film of all time

4.

narrative

d.

pursuit of power

5.

the official greatest

e.

of Kane

6.

the life and legacy

f.

cinematography

7.

newspaper

g.

structure

8.

a ruthless

h.

of Charles Foster Kane

9.

solve the

i.

film

10.

showing old footage

j.

magnate

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

4


LISTENING / READING GAP FILL
From: />
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and
starring Orson Welles. (1) ____________________ RKO Pictures,
and was Welles’ (2) ____________________. The film was
nominated for Academy Awards in nine categories; it won an
Oscar for Best Writing (Original Screenplay). Citizen Kane was
voted the greatest film of all time (3) ____________________
Sight & Sound's polls of critics, - (4) ____________________
decades. The movie is particularly praised for its innovative
cinematography, music, (5) ____________________. Many film
critics consider Citizen Kane to be the best film ever made, which
has (6) ____________________ Roger Ebert to joke: "So it's

settled: Citizen Kane is the official greatest film of all time."
The story examines (7) ____________________ of Charles
Foster Kane, played by Welles, a (8) ____________________
upon the American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.
It also follows Chicago tycoons Samuel Insull and Harold
McCormick, and (9) ____________________ Welles' own life.
Upon its release, Hearst (10) ____________________ the film in
any of his newspapers. Kane's career in the publishing world
starts with an idea to provide a social service, but gradually
evolves into a (11) ____________________ power. The story is
told mainly through flashbacks. A newsreel reporter wants to
solve the mystery of the newspaper magnate's dying word:
"Rosebud" and does so in (12) ____________________ of Kane.

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

5


CORRECT THE SPELLING
From: />
Paragraph 1
1.

tefruae film

2.

nine giraeotecs

3.

five usecevssci Sight & Sound's polls

4.

tnrraiaev structure

5.

aerngyled critic

6.

So it's lseettd

Paragraph 2
7.

the life and leaygc

8.

Chicago ontscoy

9.

describes psseact of Welles' own life

10.

Hearst prohibited oennitm of the film

11.

Kane's career in the punibilsgh world

12.

showing old oofetag of Kane.
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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

6


PUNCTUATE & PUT CAPITALS IN THE TEXT
From: />
citizen kane is a 1941 american drama film directed by and
starring orson welles it was released by rko pictures and was
welles’ first feature film the film was nominated for academy
awards in nine categories it won an oscar for best writing (original
screenplay) citizen kane was voted the greatest film of all time in
five successive sight & sound's polls of critics - a time span of five
decades the movie is particularly praised for its innovative
cinematography music and narrative structure many film critics
consider citizen kane to be the best film ever made which has led
legendary critic roger ebert to joke "so it's settled citizen kane is
the official greatest film of all time"

the story examines the life and legacy of charles foster kane
played by welles a character based in part upon the american
newspaper magnate william randolph hearst it also follows
chicago

tycoons

samuel

insull

and

harold

mccormick

and

describes aspects of welles' own life upon its release hearst
prohibited mention of the film in any of his newspapers kane's
career in the publishing world starts with an idea to provide a
social service but gradually evolves into a ruthless pursuit of
power the story is told mainly through flashbacks a newsreel
reporter wants to solve the mystery of the newspaper magnate's
dying word "rosebud" and does so in showing old footage of kane

More free lessons, listenings and online quizzes at LessonsOnMovies.com
Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

7


INSERT THE VOWELS (a,e,i,o,u)
From: />
C_ t_ z_ n

K_ n_

_s

_

1941

_ m_ r_ c_ n

dr_ m_

f_ lm,

d_ r_ ct_ d by _ nd st_ rr_ ng _ rs_ n W_ ll_ s. _ t w_ s r_ l_ _ s_ d
by RK_

P_ ct_ r_ s, _ nd w_ s W_ ll_ s’ f_ rst f_ _ t_ r_

f_ lm.

Th_ f_ lm w_ s n_ m_ n_ t_ d f_ r _ c_ d_ my _ w_ rds _ n n_ n_
c_ t_ g_ r_ _ s;

(_ r_ g_ n_ l

_t

w_ n

_n

Scr_ _ npl_ y).

_ sc_ r

C_ t_ z_ n

f_ r

B_ st

K_ n_

w_ s

Wr_ t_ ng
v_ t_ d

th_

gr_ _ t_ st f_ lm _ f _ ll t_ m_ _ n f_ v_ s_ cc_ ss_ v_ S_ ght &
S_ _ nd's

p_ lls

d_ c_ d_ s.

Th_

_ nn_ v_ t_ v_

_f

cr_ t_ cs,

m_ v_ _

_s

-

_

t_ m_

p_ rt_ c_ l_ rly

c_ n_ m_ t_ gr_ phy,

sp_ n

_f

pr_ _ s_ d

m_ s_ c,

_ nd

f_ v_

f_ r

_ ts

n_ rr_ t_ v_

str_ ct_ r_ . M_ ny f_ lm cr_ t_ cs c_ ns_ d_ r C_ t_ z_ n K_ n_ t_
b_ th_ b_ st f_ lm _ v_ r m_ d_ , wh_ ch h_ s l_ d l_ g_ nd_ ry
cr_ t_ c R_ g_ r _ b_ rt t_ j_ k_ : "S_ _ t's s_ ttl_ d: C_ t_ z_ n
K_ n_ _ s th_ _ ff_ c_ _ l gr_ _ t_ st f_ lm _ f _ ll t_ m_ ."
Th_

st_ ry

_ x_ m_ n_ s

th_

l_ f_

_ nd

F_ st_ r K_ n_ , pl_ y_ d by W_ ll_ s, _
p_ rt _ p_ n th_
R_ nd_ lph
S_ m_ _ l

_f

_t

_ nd

_ ls_

f_ ll_ ws

H_ r_ ld

Ch_ rl_ s

ch_ r_ ct_ r b_ s_ d _ n

_ m_ r_ c_ n n_ wsp_ p_ r m_ gn_ t_

H_ _ rst.

_ ns_ ll

l_ g_ cy

W_ ll_ _ m

Ch_ c_ g_

McC_ rm_ ck,

_ nd

tyc_ _ ns

d_ scr_ b_ s

_ sp_ cts _ f W_ ll_ s' _ wn l_ f_ . _ p_ n _ ts r_ l_ _ s_ , H_ _ rst
pr_ h_ b_ t_ d
n_ wsp_ p_ rs.

m_ nt_ _ n
K_ n_ 's

_f

th_

c_ r_ _ r

_n

f_ lm
th_

_n

_ ny

_f

p_ bl_ sh_ ng

h_ s
w_ rld

st_ rts w_ th _ n _ d_ _ t_ pr_ v_ d_ _ s_ c_ _ l s_ rv_ c_ , b_ t
gr_ d_ _ lly
Th_

_ v_ lv_ s

st_ ry

n_ wsr_ _ l

_s

_ nt_

t_ ld

r_ p_ rt_ r

_

r_ thl_ ss

m_ _ nly

w_ nts

t_

p_ rs_ _ t

thr_ _ gh
s_ lv_

th_

_f

p_ w_ r.

fl_ shb_ cks.
myst_ ry

_f

_
th_

n_ wsp_ p_ r m_ gn_ t_ 's dy_ ng w_ rd: "R_ s_ b_ d" _ nd d_ _ s
s_ _ n sh_ w_ ng _ ld f_ _ t_ g_ _ f K_ n_ .

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

8


MARK THE SPACES
From: />
CitizenKaneisa1941Americandramafilm,directedbyandstarringOrso
nWelles.ItwasreleasedbyRKOPictures,andwasWelles’firstfeaturefil
m.ThefilmwasnominatedforAcademyAwardsinninecategories;itwon
anOscarforBestWriting(OriginalScreenplay).CitizenKanewasvotedt
hegreatestfilmofalltimeinfivesuccessiveSight&Sound'spollsofcritics
,atimespanoffivedecades.Themovieisparticularlypraisedforitsinnova
tivecinematography,music,andnarrativestructure.Manyfilmcriticsc
onsiderCitizenKanetobethebestfilmevermade,whichhasledlegendar
ycriticRogerEberttojoke:"Soit'ssettled:CitizenKaneistheofficialgrea
testfilmofalltime."ThestoryexaminesthelifeandlegacyofCharlesFost
erKane,playedbyWelles,acharacterbasedinpartupontheAmericanne
wspapermagnateWilliamRandolphHearst.ItalsofollowsChicagotyco
onsSamuelInsullandHaroldMcCormick,anddescribesaspectsofWelle
s'ownlife.Uponitsrelease,Hearstprohibitedmentionofthefilminanyof
hisnewspapers.Kane'scareerinthepublishingworldstartswithanideat
oprovideasocialservice,butgraduallyevolvesintoaruthlesspursuitofp
ower.Thestoryistoldmainlythroughflashbacks.Anewsreelreporterw
antstosolvethemysteryofthenewspapermagnate'sdyingword:"Rose
bud"anddoessoinshowingoldfootageofKane.
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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

9


DISCUSSION

(Write your own questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

Copyright © www.LessonsOnMovies.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------DISCUSSION

(Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

10


CITIZEN KANE SURVEY
From: />
Write five GOOD questions about Citizen Kane in the table. Do this in pairs. Each
student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

STUDENT 1

STUDENT 2

STUDENT 3

_____________

_____________

_____________

Q.1.

Q.2.

Q.3.

Q.4.

Q.5.

•

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found
out. Change partners often.

•

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

11


WRITING
From: />
Write your own movie review. Show your partner your
letter. Correct each other’s work.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

12


HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from
the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search
engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET INFO: Search the Internet and find more information
about “Citizen Kane”. Talk about what you discover with your
partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about “Citizen

Kane”. What are (did) critics and moviegoers saying (say) about it?
How good were the actors’ performances? What was good and bad
about the movie? Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next
lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

4. “CITIZEN KANE” POSTER: Make a poster about “Citizen Kane”.
Make sure you put tag lines, audience and critics’ reviews, why people
should see it, etc. Show it to your classmates in the next lesson. Give
each other feedback on your posters.

5. MY PREQUEL / SEQUEL: Make your own prequel or sequel for
“Citizen Kane”. Make sure there is a good mix of things to do. Find
some good online activities. Read what you wrote to your classmates
in the next lesson. Give each other feedback.

6. CHARACTER STORY: Choose one of the characters from the
movie. Imagine you are that character. Write your story about what
you did in the movie. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the
next lesson. Give each other feedback.

7. ONLINE SHARING: Use your blog, wiki, Facebook page, Twitter
stream, or any other social media tool to get opinions on “Citizen
Kane”. Share your findings with the class.

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Copyright © 2013 – Sean Banville

13

ANSWERS
SYNONYM MATCH
1.

released

a.

brought out

2

nominated

b.

recommended

3.

successive

c.

consecutive

4.

innovative

d.

pioneering

5.

settled

e.

decided

6.

examines

f.

looks at

7.

magnate

g.

tycoon

8.

aspects

h.

parts

9.

mention

i.

reference

j.

quest

10. pursuit

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Please check for yourself by looking at the movie review on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

CREATIVE COMMONS
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike
License.
/>on-ShareAlike_3.0_Unported_License

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14